Name: Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1 block (350g) extra-firm tofu, cut into cubes; Salt, to taste (optional); Pepper, to taste (optional); 3 packs (210g) ramen noodles; 3 tablespoons peanuts, crushed; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1/2 cup green onions (scallions), thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons tahini; 1 tablespoon peanut butter, natural; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 1 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated; 1 teaspoon ginger, grated; 1-2 teaspoons sriracha

There’s something utterly comforting about a warm bowl of noodles kissed with nutty sesame and paired with golden, crispy tofu. This Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe is a game-changer when you want a satisfying, plant-based meal that’s quick, flavorful, and downright addictive.

A bowl filled with three main layers: at the bottom is a base of brown noodles mixed with sauce, on top are several medium-sized golden-brown tofu cubes, and the final layer is sprinkled with green sliced scallions and crushed light tan peanuts. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side, and the bowl sits on a white marbled textured surface. Near the bowl on the left side, there is a small white bowl with more crushed peanuts and some green scallions for garnish. A light gray cloth is partially visible at the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I keep coming back to this Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between bold, satisfying flavors and quick prep time. Plus, the crispy tofu adds that irresistible texture you didn’t know you needed in your noodles.

Quick and Easy: You can get dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, which is perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The combo of tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, and sriracha brings layers of nutty, sweet, and spicy notes to your bowl.
Crispy Tofu Magic: Pressing and pan-frying tofu creates a golden crust that keeps every bite exciting—no mushy tofu here!
Customizable and Vegan: Whether you need it gluten-free or want to add more veggies, this recipe adapts beautifully.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe plays its part to create a harmony of flavors and textures. Knowing a little about each one can help you shop smarter and tweak the recipe to your taste.

Flat lay of a block of extra-firm tofu cut into cubes, three bundles of fresh ramen noodles, a small white bowl of light avocado oil, a small white bowl of crushed peanuts, a small white bowl of sesame seeds, a small white bowl of tahini, a small white bowl of natural peanut butter, a small white bowl of soy sauce, a small white bowl of toasted sesame oil, a small white bowl of rice vinegar, a small white bowl of maple syrup, two whole garlic cloves, a small piece of fresh ginger root, a small white bowl of bright red sriracha sauce, and a bunch of thinly sliced green onions arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Avocado oil: Its high smoke point is perfect for getting tofu extra crispy without burning.
Extra-firm tofu: This type stands up best to pressing and pan-frying, giving you that coveted crispy exterior.
Ramen noodles: Choose fresh or dried ramen; both soak up the sauce beautifully. Avoid instant packets with seasoning—the sauce here is the star.
Peanuts: Crushing them adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that echoes the sesame and peanut butter.
Sesame seeds: Toasted seeds give subtle earthiness and a pop of texture sprinkled on top.
Green onions (scallions): They add brightness and a fresh finish that balances the rich sauce.
Tahini: This creamy sesame paste deepens the sesame flavor and adds body to the sauce.
Peanut butter: Natural peanut butter enriches the sauce with a velvety, nutty taste!
Soy sauce: The salty umami base that ties all the flavors together.
Toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way—adds an aromatic nuttiness that’s unmistakable.
Rice vinegar: Balances richness with a gentle tang.
Maple syrup: For a touch of natural sweetness that rounds out the sauce perfectly.
Garlic and ginger: Fresh aromatics that bring warmth and zest.
Sriracha: Controls the heat level—you can dial it up or down depending on your mood.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe is how easy it is to tweak! Whether you want it milder, packed with veggies, or extra crunchy, the base is forgiving and versatile.

Veggie Boost: I love adding thinly sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or snap peas for freshness and crunch when I have a bit more time.
Spice Adjustments: Personally, I start with one teaspoon of sriracha and then add more if I feel like it—it's all about your heat tolerance!
Gluten-Free Swap: If you avoid gluten, swap the ramen noodles with rice noodles or gluten-free soba. The sauce works just as well.
Crispier Tofu: Try baking the tofu at 400°F for 25 minutes if you want a hands-off method, but I find pan-frying delivers the crispiest, most satisfying bites.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe

A white frying pan with light green handles is placed on a light brown cloth on a white marbled surface. Inside the pan, there are many small, golden brown tofu cubes arranged mostly on one side. A woman's hand is seen pouring thick dark brown sauce from a small bowl into the pan, spreading towards the tofu cubes. To the top left of the pan, there are chopped green onions scattered and a small white bowl filled with crushed peanuts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Press and Prep the Tofu

Start by pressing the extra-firm tofu for about 15 minutes—trust me, this makes all the difference. If you don’t have a press, simply wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy pan or book on top. This removes excess water so the tofu crisps up nicely instead of steaming.

Step 2: Pan-Fry the Tofu

Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your tofu cubes and let them cook undisturbed for 7-8 minutes on one side until golden—don’t rush this part! Flip carefully and cook another 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper near the end for a hit of flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Ramen Noodles

While the tofu is frying, boil water in a medium saucepan and cook the ramen noodles just until tender according to package instructions. Drain them well—you don’t want soggy noodles stealing the show.

Step 4: Whisk Together the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk tahini, natural peanut butter, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sriracha until smooth. The sauce will be creamy and aromatic, ready to elevate the whole dish.

Step 5: Combine Everything and Serve

Pour the sauce directly into the skillet with the crispy tofu, turn the heat to low, and add the drained noodles. Toss gently but thoroughly so every noodle and tofu cube is coated with that luscious sauce. Plate it up and sprinkle crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions on top. Ready to dig in!

Top Tip

From my many tries with this Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe, the main game-changer is tofu prep and timing. Getting that tofu crispy and managing the noodles makes all the difference in texture and flavor delivery.

Press Your Tofu Well: Water is the enemy of crispiness—15 minutes pressing dramatically improves texture.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give tofu pieces space to brown on all sides, otherwise they steam and get soggy.
Drain Noodles Thoroughly: Wet noodles dilute the sauce and ruin the final dish's silky finish.
Toss Gently But Quickly: To keep tofu intact and sauce evenly coating noodles, toss carefully right before serving.

How to Serve Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe

sesame ramen noodles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I never skip the crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and green onions—they add a fresh crunch and visual pop that just elevates the entire experience. Sometimes I add thinly sliced red chilies or a squeeze of fresh lime for extra zing!

Side Dishes

Simple sides like steamed bok choy, sautéed baby spinach, or a refreshing cucumber salad go perfectly alongside. These keep the meal balanced and brighten up the bowl of rich, savory noodles.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to serve the noodles in wide, shallow bowls with tofu stacks on top, then sprinkle the garnishes artistically. Adding edible flowers or fresh herbs like cilantro instantly makes it look restaurant-worthy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the tofu separate if you want to maintain its crispness, then add it back when reheating.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this dish due to the tofu texture and noodle softness, but if you must, freeze tofu separately and add freshly cooked noodles when serving.

Reheating

When reheating, gently warm the noodles and tofu in a skillet with a splash of water or a little extra sesame oil to revive the sauce and prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the tofu crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter?

You can, but natural peanut butter is preferable because it has less added sugar and oils that can affect the sauce’s texture and flavor balance. If you only have creamy regular peanut butter, just use it sparingly to avoid overly sweet sauce.

What is the best way to get tofu crispy?

Pressing tofu to remove excess water, using a non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet, and cooking the tofu over medium heat without overcrowding the pan are key steps. Let the tofu brown undisturbed before flipping to form a crisp crust.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just replace the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and swap regular ramen noodles for gluten-free rice noodles or soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat.

How spicy is this recipe with sriracha?

The recipe uses 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, which adds a moderate heat that can be adjusted. Start with less if you prefer mild spice, and add more to taste. It gives the dish a pleasant warmth without overwhelming other flavors.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love how this Sesame Ramen Noodles with Crispy Tofu Recipe feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s quick, comforting, and full of vibrant layers that make each bite exciting. I can’t wait for you to try it—once you do, I bet it’ll become your go-to weeknight dinner too.